Via Brasil does it up right with their first South American Wine Dinner in Summerlin

We have had the pleasure of dinning at Via Brasil in the past. The food is always amazing and one can make a meal just out of the salad bar. On this occasion we attended their first wine dinner to get the summer started out right with of course some great South American wines.

Sommelier Jean Ricardo had is work cut out for him when considering the wine pairings. With over 18 meat dishes carved table side and the salad bar with sushi and other items would not be an easy task.

We entered and headed for their beautiful bar. Sommelier Jean Ricardo was very gracious and greeted the guests with a lovely Aperitif. Santa Julia , NV Pinot Noir Sparkling was a great way to start things off.
Its elegant Pink color led into a bouquet of red fruit and the expected cherry from the Pinot Noir. On the palate flavors of fresh fruit gave way to a nice balance and long finish.




We started out with a trip to the salad bar and some sushi but kept it kind of light as we knew what was in store for us when the parade of meat would begin. With this first course , Jean Ricardo chose Tamari Torrontes 2007. Torrontes is a white varietal that comes from the Fatima Valley in La Rioja, Argentina . In the glass its showed with yellow/green hues and medium bodied. The Nose exploded with hints of Jasmine and Roses leading to intense flavors of fruit and a long finish.


We flipped our cards to GREEN and the meat parade of Rib Eye, Prime Rib and Suckling Pig began. The second wine was an Argentinean classic. The Zuccardi Q Malbec 2006 Mendoza was a great way to get started with these great cuts of meat. Argentina is considerd the home of Malbec and can take the hot summer temperatures. The best of the Malbecs are deep red , almost inky with lots of dark fruit and soft tannins. This Zuccardi Q 2006 met all of those standards with deep violet and purple hues in the glass. The nose gave us hints of intense ripe fruit , plum , tobacco, vanilla and cassis. On the palate these aromas came through very big and bold with a long finish















Whenever we visit Via Brasil we never think we would have room for desert , BUT a mention of their great Flan and Creme Brulee is a weakness. The last wine of the evening was Concha Y Toro Late Harvest 2005 Sauvignon Blanc 95% Riesling 5%. This wine is from the Maule Valley which has an ancient history of wine making. The sun shines in the Chilean Central Valley over 300 days a year. In the glass this late harvest was golden yellow and a nose of ripe fruit and honey. The palate was very pleasing with flavors of honey and some citrus on the back with a nice finish. The pairing of this Concha Y Toro was a home run.


This South American wine dinner was a great success. Where else would you want to be for a dinner paired with these wines rather than Via Brasil ? Sommelier Jean Ricardo had a difficult task to pair wines with the wide variety of their extensive menu of meats. He succeeded beyond our expectations. For more about Via Brasil's upcoming events , visit www.viabrasilrestaurant.com


Join Scott from Vino Las Vegas as he joins Sommelier Jean Ricardo in the wine cellar to talk about the wine pairings and Via Brasil after the dinner